I will add here how I've become obsessed with pottery and a bit more information. Exhale....
At 73 years of age, my mother finally retired. Not because she had travel plans or anything exciting to do. She retired because she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She showed up to work the Monday following her weekend diagnosis in the ER, and said "today will be my last day here." The next day my sister called and told me the news. Our mom's stomach pains weren't from stress or nerves, it was cancer. It was inoperable, and we never did get a clear answer on a stage, or had it spread, but we were told one year with no treatment, maybe two without. My mom lived in the same home I grew up in in the Bay Area, California, and I headed out there as fast as I could from Michigan. I wanted to hear from Dr's and take my mom to chemo, and love her, closely. That's exactly what we did. A couple of weeks before I was able to leave for mom's house I began asking her questions over the phone about her life, her stories, her loves, her hurts, everything. It wasn't easy for her, and I learned a lot. Why I hadn't thought to ask before, I don't know. In California, I was able to spend a little over a month with her, and I thank God for this time. We laughed a lot and cried too, we talked frankly, and very personally, with no resentments or bs....I got to hold her hand in the car when I'd drive her places, we even crossed something off her bucket list, going through a car wash! Every minute was precious, and I knew that more than ever before. It was difficult trying to coax her to eat something, to see her constantly needing pain medicine doses upped, to even think of never being able to call my mom again. It's a kick in the gut. I'm going to say my mom and I were given a gift of time together, I'm forever grateful. She went to be with God on October 17th, 2018. 3 1/2 months after her diagnosis. My heart aches.
So, here is where the pottery comes in... My mom's ashes were shared between my sisters and myself. I received them in a standard brown box where they sat until I could find something special enough to put her ashes in. If you've never had to shop for urns consider yourself lucky. Much love to you. If you have, you know it's a very personal thing to do. I was coming up with nothing I liked or that didn't cost thousands of dollars. For an urn!!! I looked and looked.....nothing. while I was searching for the urns I started noticing how beautiful (and fun) pottery was, and decided to delve further. We went to a couple of pottery shows here in Michigan and I finally found a creative, simple, feminine, lidded vessel that now holds my mom's remains. That to me, is a pretty special thing. You'll never guess what else? By this time I'm hooked, I'm obsessed, and I'm picking out kilns. I'm looking at wheels, browsing instagram, pinterest, and solidifying in my mind that this is what I'm going to do. Exciting right? Easy enough right? Well, my BFF thought so too. She says to me "so Cathy, because you're crafty, and have made lots of things for many years you're going to buy a pottery wheel and some Clay and you're going to sit down and know how to do it?" She said something similar to that anyhow, I say yes! And boy was I wrong.
I didn't go to a school of arts, I have no degree in ceramics, I never travelled to another country and learned for years from the masters. I have sooooo much respect for those that did, those that have. It just wasn't the path I was, or am on. I am just me, learning all I can, and loving along the way. And, I'm still talking to my mom, and God. I miss her so.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story, please know I am grateful for this journey that I am on. I look forward to the learning process, and creating urns that others may chose for their loved ones, as well as other pieces I've made. I will be updating the shop with all worthy creations (wish me luck) Please favorite my shop for updates. I dont have an eta on the urns, (that whole learning curve thing in play) but if you've found something here I've created for yourself or a friend, you've made me smile, and your purchase has allowed me to go play happily in some more Mud.
Thank you so much. Cathy Kredell

PS: Instagram! Cathy Kredell Studio!! Go there!